In the third installment of Ali Hazelwood’s beloved STEMinist Novellas series, Below Zero delivers a tale that’s both literally and figuratively scorching. Following the romantic successes of Under One Roof and Stuck with You, this Arctic-set romance proves that even the most frigid circumstances can ignite the hottest passions. Hazelwood once again demonstrates her mastery of combining STEM careers with swoon-worthy romance, though this particular entry in the series reveals both the strengths and occasional weaknesses of her formulaic approach.
When Science Meets Survival in the Arctic Circle
Hannah Arroyo, a NASA aerospace engineer with a razor-sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, finds herself in the worst possible scenario: trapped in a crevasse during a blizzard in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Her rescue comes from the last person she’d ever expect—or want—to see: Ian Floyd, the man who nearly destroyed her career by vetoing her research proposal six months earlier. What follows is a masterfully crafted enemies-to-lovers romance that unfolds against one of the most unforgiving backdrops imaginable.
The premise immediately establishes high stakes that go beyond romantic tension. Hannah’s life literally hangs in the balance, and Ian’s presence raises questions that drive the narrative forward with compelling urgency. Why is he there? How did he know she needed rescuing? And most importantly, can she trust the man who she believes sabotaged her career?
Character Development That Runs Deeper Than Expected
Hannah emerges as one of Hazelwood’s most complex heroines to date. Unlike the more straightforward protagonists in Under One Roof and Stuck with You, Hannah carries emotional baggage that feels authentically heavy. Her past relationship with Tim, her complicated family dynamics, and her genuine struggle with vulnerability create a character who feels real rather than constructed. Her defensive mechanisms—particularly her tendency to push people away before they can hurt her—are portrayed with nuanced understanding rather than simple romantic convenience.
Ian Floyd presents an interesting contrast to typical romance heroes. His quiet competence and unwavering dedication to Hannah’s safety make him deeply appealing, but Hazelwood avoids making him perfect. His past mistakes, including the research proposal incident that forms the central conflict, are given proper weight and resolution. The revelation of his true motivations reframes the entire relationship dynamic in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable.
The Art of Romantic Tension in Extreme Circumstances
Hazelwood excels at building romantic tension within the constraints of a survival scenario. The forced proximity of the boat during the storm creates an intimacy that feels earned rather than contrived. Their shared body heat becomes both a practical necessity and a metaphor for their emotional connection, while the life-threatening circumstances strip away the pretenses that have kept them apart.
The dual timeline structure—alternating between their current crisis and flashbacks to their first meeting five years earlier—adds depth to their relationship. These glimpses into their past reveal a connection that was profound even in its brevity, making their current situation feel like destiny rather than coincidence. The JPL sequence, in particular, showcases Hazelwood’s ability to make professional environments feel romantically charged without sacrificing authenticity.
STEM Representation That Balances Accuracy and Accessibility
As with the previous books in the series, Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood excels in its portrayal of women in STEM fields. Hannah’s expertise in aerospace engineering is woven seamlessly into the narrative, with technical details that feel authentic without becoming overwhelming. The AMASE expedition—NASA’s Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition—provides a fascinating real-world backdrop that enhances the story’s credibility.
The scientific elements serve multiple narrative purposes:
- They establish Hannah’s competence and passion for her work
- They create realistic obstacles and plot drivers
- They provide common ground for Hannah and Ian’s connection
- They reinforce the theme of exploration—both geographical and emotional
Hazelwood’s background in academia shines through in these details, lending authority to her portrayal of scientific research culture and the challenges facing women in male-dominated fields.
Areas Where the Formula Shows Its Limits
While Below Zero succeeds in many areas, it occasionally reveals the constraints of Ali Hazelwood’s established formula. The antagonist role of Dr. Merel feels somewhat underdeveloped, serving more as a plot device than a fully realized character. His negligence and the resulting danger to Hannah, while necessary for the plot, lack the nuanced complexity that marks the best elements of the story.
The resolution of Hannah’s research project, while satisfying, arrives perhaps too easily. After building significant tension around her professional struggles, the ultimate success of her mini-rover feels slightly anticlimactic. Similarly, some of the secondary characters, particularly those at NASA, serve primarily functional roles rather than feeling like complete individuals.
The Emotional Journey: From Hurt to Healing
The heart of Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood lies not in its Arctic setting or scientific backdrop, but in Hannah’s emotional journey toward trusting both Ian and herself. Her reluctance to enter into a traditional relationship stems from deep-seated fears of inadequacy that feel painfully authentic. When she tells Ian, “I just can’t believe that anyone would do that for me,” referring to his rescue mission, it reveals vulnerabilities that extend far beyond romantic relationships.
Ian’s patient persistence—appearing in Norway to ensure her safety despite their professional conflict—demonstrates a level of devotion that gradually breaks down Hannah’s defenses. The progression from physical attraction to emotional intimacy feels natural and unforced, even when compressed into the novella format.
Series Connections and Character Development
Readers familiar with Under One Roof and Stuck with You will appreciate the brief appearances of Mara and Sadie, Hannah’s friends from previous books. Their friendship feels genuine and supportive, providing Hannah with a foundation of trust that makes her eventual openness to Ian more believable. The series benefits from this interconnectedness, creating a sense of community among its protagonists that extends beyond romantic relationships.
A Romance That Earns Its Happy Ending
Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood succeeds where many romance novellas fail: it creates a relationship that feels substantial despite its compressed timeframe. The combination of past history, present danger, and future possibilities creates a love story that feels both immediate and enduring. Hannah and Ian’s journey from adversaries to lovers is complicated enough to be interesting while remaining clear enough to be satisfying.
The Arctic setting serves as more than mere backdrop—it becomes a crucible that burns away pretense and forces both characters to confront their true feelings. In a genre that often relies on misunderstandings and artificial conflicts, Below Zero grounds its tension in real character flaws and legitimate concerns.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Addition to the STEMinist Collection
Despite minor weaknesses in pacing and secondary character development, Below Zero stands as a strong entry in Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist Novellas series. It combines the author’s signature blend of scientific authenticity and romantic heat with a survival plot that raises the stakes beyond typical romance conflicts. Hannah and Ian’s story proves that sometimes the coldest places can kindle the warmest flames.
For readers who enjoyed the previous books in the series, Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood delivers the same winning combination of smart heroines, patient heroes, and steamy romance. Newcomers to Hazelwood’s work will find an accessible entry point that showcases her strengths while hinting at the depth found in her full-length novels.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood captured your imagination, consider these similar reads:
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – The author’s breakout novel featuring fake dating in academia
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – Contemporary romance between rival writers
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – STEM heroine with emotional growth arc
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Enemies-to-lovers office romance
- Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon – Meteorologist heroine in workplace romance
Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood proves that even in the harshest environments, love finds a way to flourish—and sometimes the rescue we need most comes from the person we least expect.
